Eczema Ayurvedic Treatments: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

What is Eczema?

Eczema is also known as Atopic dermatitis. It is a skin disorder that causes itching, skin flaking, dermal tissue inflammation, redness, and a mild burning sensation.

The onset of eczema is from itching and dry skin. It flares up over the span of time into visible inflammation on the skin which hurts to the touch. Scratching the skin mostly worsens the condition. Around 223 million people are living with eczema across the world.

In Ayurveda, it is known as “Vicharchika”. It occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta Dosha and Vata Dosha.

Types of Eczema

Depending on the symptoms and how long they persist, Eczema is classified into different types and their duration. Let’s understand several types of eczema which are as follows:

• Atopic Eczema

It is a common type that often starts with your skin feeling dry and itchy, and slowly developing into rashes and small, raised bumps. It mostly develops behind the knees and chest.

• Stasis dermatitis

This type of eczema occurs when there is poor circulation in the legs, causing swelling, redness, and itchy skin.

• Discoid Eczema/ Nummular Eczema

This type of eczema appears as coin-shaped patches of red, inflamed skin and is often triggered by dry skin, stress, or injury to the skin. It is also called Nummular Eczema.

• Contact Dermatitis/ Allergic Dermatitis

This type of eczema occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen, such as chemicals, metals, or certain plants. For instance, a rash with a wristwatch, when an allergen directly interacts with your skin, or when sweat stays on your skin for a long time.

• Dyshidrotic Eczema

This type of eczema appears as small, itchy blisters on the hands, fingers, and feet, and is often triggered by stress, allergies, or exposure to certain metals.

• Seborrheic dermatitis

This type of eczema mainly affects the scalp, causing redness, itching, and flaky skin. It can also affect other parts of the body, such as the chest, face, and back.

Symptoms of Eczema 

The symptoms of eczema are as follows: 

Itching (Kandu): Itching is also known as pruritis. The common symptom of eczema is dry, itchy skin that can become uncomfortable.

Red and inflamed skin: The affected area of the skin may become red, swollen, and hot to the touch.

Rash: A rash can develop on the skin, which may be raised, scaly, and blistered.

Crusty patches (Pidika): In severe cases, the skin may become thickened, scaly, and crusty.

Oozing (Rakta): The affected area of the skin may ooze or weep, especially if scratched, and blood can ooze out.

Rough (Parushyam) and thickened skin: With time, the affected area of the skin becomes rough and thickened like leather.

Skin discoloration: The affected skin area may become darker or lighter in color than the surrounding skin.

Causes of Eczema 

According to Ayurveda, eczema is caused by an imbalance of the Vata Dosha and Pitta Dosha in the body, leading to an accumulation of toxins and impurities in the skin. The main reasons for eczema are as follows:

Improper digestion: In Ayurveda, poor digestion is considered one of the main causes of eczema. When food is not properly digested, it can create toxins that accumulate in the body and cause eczema. Accumulation of toxins (Ama) leads to the impurity of blood in the body.

Weak immune system: A weakened immune system can make the body more susceptible to skin disorders, including eczema.

Improper Diet and Lifestyle: Improper diet aggravates the Pitta Dosha such as ‘Ahar Hetu’ eating untimely meals and ‘Vihar Hetu’ which is unhealthy lifestyle practices like drinking alcohol and smoking, and tobacco consumption.

Stress and anxiety: ‘Achara Hetu’ means mental wellness-related concerns like depression, anxiety, anger, stress, and negative emotions that can contribute to an imbalance in the doshas, particularly Vata Dosha which can result in irritation and dryness of the skin.

Excess heat in the body: Pitta Dosha is associated with heat in the body, and an excess of Pitta can lead to inflammation and skin irritation, which can result in eczema.

Environmental factors: Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as harsh chemicals or allergens, can worsen eczema in some people.

How Eczema Can Be Diagnosed

Here are some ways that eczema can be diagnosed:

Blood Test: A blood test can be done in order to determine if you have raised levels of( Immunoglobulin E) IgE antibodies, which are mostly associated with eczema and allergies.

Medical History: Detailed Case history taken by a doctor can determine whether you are at risk of eczema. Particularly, it can be known from the details of your personal and family medical history, including any history of allergies or asthma.

Physical Examination: After examining your skin, and looking for signs of redness, swelling, cracking, scaling, and thickening, the expert physician can diagnose the signs and symptoms of eczema. 

Ayurvedic view of Eczema

Ayurveda is the ancient Indian practice of medicine that originated thousands of years ago. In Ayurveda, eczema is known as “Vicharchika” or “Shudra Kushta”.

The Vata dosha is responsible for movement in the body, and when it is imbalanced, it can cause dryness and roughness of the skin. The Pitta dosha manages metabolism and digestion, and when it is imbalanced, it can cause inflammation and irritation of the skin. Thus, Ayurveda For Eczema is a boon. 

Eczema Ayurvedic Treatment focuses on the underlying emotional and psychological factors that can contribute to the condition. This involves stress reduction techniques such as Meditation, Yoga asanas, and Pranayama.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema

The ancient Ayurvedic manuscripts of Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya explain a plethora of Ayurvedic herbs that improve the symptoms like itching, inflammation, and dryness and ultimately treat eczema from its root cause. Eczema Ayurvedic Treatment includes a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, and external applications to the skin.

Ayurvedic herbs for eczema

Eczema Ayurvedic Treatment includes several natural remedies which are common and easily available in our kitchen or kitchen garden. Some of them are as follows: 

Haridra (Turmeric)

Haridra is commonly known as turmeric. It is a popular Ayurvedic herb that is available in almost every kitchen. Turmeric root has good amounts of curcumin, a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound. It detoxifies the impurities from the skin’s surface and soothes dryness, inflammation, peeling in the skin, and itching. 

 

You can apply turmeric paste to the affected areas or take turmeric with lukewarm water in the morning on an empty stomach.

 Nimba (Neem)

Nimba is often called a neem. The leaves of neem contain a treasure trove of antimicrobial elements that proves superb for skin health. 

Neem is a powerful herb with anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. It is commonly used to treat a number of skin conditions, including eczema. 

You can apply neem oil or neem paste from dried, crushed, finely ground leaves topically to the affected areas or take neem tablets orally.

Ghrit Kumari (Aloe vera) 

Ghrit Kumari is famously called Aloe vera. It is a skin-soothing herb that has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. 

It can help reduce redness and itching associated with eczema. The wound-healing quality of aloe vera is the main aid in the healing process.

You can apply aloe vera gel topically to the affected areas or take aloe vera tablets or gel orally.

Bakuchi (Psoralea Corylifolia)

Psoralea corylifolia is commonly known as Bakuchi or Babchi. It has been traditionally used in India for various medicinal purposes, including skin diseases such as eczema.

Bakuchi contains psoralen, which is a natural compound known for its antipsoriatic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Psoralen has been shown to reduce the inflammation and itching associated with eczema and other skin conditions.

The extract of bakuchi can be used as ointment or gel for topical application on the affected part.

Cardamom (Elaichi)

Cardamom is known as Elaichi commonly. It is a spice mostly used in cooking and traditional medicine. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can benefit the skin.

It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that help prevent bacterial and fungal growth on eczema-prone skin. 

Applying it in powdered form or as oil can prevent further aggravation of eczema. 

Indian sarsaparilla (Anantmool)

Indian sarsaparilla or Anantmool contains compounds such as saponins and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds reduce the inflammation and itching of eczema.

This incredible herb’s root is beneficial in the treatment of eczema. It detoxifies the toxins from the body and rejuvenates the skin.

Take half to one teaspoon of Anantmool powder or churna and mix it with lukewarm water, add honey, and consume it half an hour before meals.

Triphala

It is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation that consists of three phala: Amla, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki. It is traditionally used in India for various medicinal purposes for skin diseases such as eczema.

It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are excellent for skin diseases. These properties can help to reduce itching and inflammation of eczema. Triphala also has immuno-modulatory effects that help to regulate the immune system, which is often weak in individuals with eczema.

Half a teaspoon of Triphala powder can be consumed an hour after meals with Lukewarm Water which plays an important role in the treatment of Eczema with Ayurveda. 

Dietary Modification for Eczema

Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema gives importance to diet. Here are some dietary changes for eczema which are as follows:

• Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is important when dealing with eczema or Vicharchika.
• A progressively cleaner diet may be necessary to promote the healing process and allow proper digestion of food to avoid further accumulating toxins in the body.
• Processed foods along with Alcohol and smoking should be avoided as a top priority.
• Consumption of wholesome foods such as green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits which are high in vitamins and minerals containing zinc and magnesium is of utmost importance for faster skin healing.
• Fruits and vegetables with high water content help your body detoxify harmful toxins.
• Stale food should be avoided along with sugary drinks.
• Foods that are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E help in skin renewal. For instance, Citrus fruits, Amla, and soaked Almonds can be included in the diet.
• Spices available in the kitchen are also valuable in reducing eczema symptoms such as inflammation, dryness, and itchiness. Include spices like ginger, turmeric, clove, cardamom, fenugreek, cinnamon, and black cumin in the diet.

Takeaways

To sum up, Ayurvedic Treatment for Eczema can work wonders for patients who are suffering from this skin disorder. The article emphasizes the importance of natural herbs which are effective in healing eczema from its root cause. Therefore, Ayurveda is a blessing to humanity as it holds the power to heal grave diseases like eczema.